With the first-ever Le Trot races taking place at Chelmsford City Racecourse in Essex, England Thursday evening, there may be some new harness racing standards recorded for England and Ireland.
Being the first time that Trotter Francais will race over Chelmsford's 1,700 Polytrack surface, the UK and Ireland record will belong to the fastest of the two Le Trot races, each of which are being contested at one mile one furlong (1 1/8th mile) distance.
The only comparable large track that has held Le Trot races at nearly this distance is at Wolverhampton, UK. The track record there was set this year on June 5 at one mile, 141 yards of 2:15.69 by Tenor Meslois, who is in Thursday's big race.
The world record for 1 1/8th mile is 2:05.3 set by Your So Vain and driver Ake Svansdedt at the Meadowlands on July 5, 2014.
Big news for punters wishing to wager on the races but cannot make it to Chelmsford Thursday was received earlier this week that the two Le Trot races will be featured by Betfred, William Hill and Ladbrokes at all their online and off-track wagering outlets.
The two Le Trot race program pages can be viewed at http://www.bhrc.org.uk/racing/download/race_card/CH%2010-11-16%20[Race%20Pages%20Edited].pdf
The featured ninth race Thursday is the George Button Senior Trotteur Francais Cup with ten starters.
The field is strongly matched with top competitors who could set a record if conditions are right.
Ireland invader Twist Du Layon will be handled by Patrick Kane, Jr. and they set the track record at Portmarnock Raceway last month at one and one-quarter mile and was second in the world record mile on October 30 and is the second highest money winner in the field this year.
Sulky Du Blequin is the 2016 Trotter of the Year in the UK with five wins, including on the big track at Wolverhampton. He will be handled by owner/trainer John Foy.
As before mentioned, Tenor Meslois holds the track record at this distance at Wolverhampton and also won his last start at Tir Prince for trainer/driver Rhys Evans. He has six wins this year and is rarely out of the money.
Show Business was the 2015 Trotter of the Year for driver/trainer/owner Paul Mather and lifetime is the richest starter in the field.
The highest money winner in the field this year is Velours Darche. He just came to the UK from France in July and has won his last two starts for owner/trainer/driver Joseph Ripley.
The eighth race Fleet Hire Le Trot also has ten starters headlined by five mares in the field and a record could be set if one of the mares win.
Early favorite is the top mare, Une Pebe, who is the 2016 Trotting Mare of the Year in the UK. Trained and driven by Mike Evans, she is the highest money winner this season in the field and was a game second in her last start at Tir Prince.
Recently imported Spot Du Mouchel was a winner at Tir Prince in September and figures to be a major factor for trainer/driver Joss Edwards.
Another contender is Salvado Bello, who is the highest money winner lifetime in the field and since coming to the UK sports three second place and three third place finishes for driver John Foy.
"We could not be more pleased at TROTBritain with the way everything has shaped up for Thursday's races." Said TROTBritain organizer George Button. "Our committee has worked diligently for nearly a year with the officials at Chelmsford City Racecourse and without their forward thinking and welcoming us to come race, this night would never have taken place.
"Even mother nature is cooperating, "Button laughed, "as the weather forecast for Thursday night is super. I truly hope that everyone who is a fan of harness racing will support our debut at Chelmsford by coming out to the races or having a bet or two and watching the races.
"We can safely say that if Thursday night is a big success," Button said, "that we will be able to stage more races like this next year and that would be so important to the growth of harness racing in the UK and Ireland."
First race post time at Chelmsford City Thursday is 16:25 (4:25 pm). The first of the two Le Trot races are scheduled to go off at 19:55 (7:55 pm).
By Steve Wolf, for TROTBritain